Will you accept walk ins?

No. As a policy, all consular applicants are required to have a confirmed appointment prior to coming to the Consulate.

Will there be considerations for ballot drop offs as another option aside from mailing them to the Consulate?

Yes, a ballot receptacle box will be provided at the Philippine Center for voters who wish to personally drop off their sealed accomplished ballots.

Will there be a courtesy lane for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and others with special circumstances?

As a policy the Philippine Consulate General in New York requires all consular applicants to have a booked appointment prior to coming to the Consulate. The Consulate may give exception to meritorious cases, such as those with valid and immediate urgency to their requests. To make a request in case you are unable to book an appointment, you can send an email so we can review the merits of your particular situation to: newyorkpcg.notarials@dfa.gov.ph for Notarization, newyorkpcg.dual@dfa.gov.ph for Dual Citizenship, newyorkpcg.passport@dfa.gov.ph for Passport applications. All requests are subject to evaluation and approval is not guaranteed.

Will the Consulate be open on the weekend of May 7-8?

Yes, the Consulate is open 24 /7 for the entire voting period (including weekends and holidays) from 09 April 2022 to 08 May 2022 for registered voters who wish to personally drop off their ballots at the Consulate. The Consulate will be open on 09 May 2022, the last day for the casting of ballots until 7:00 a.m. Ballots received after 7:00am will no longer be counted.

Will my foreign spouse, who will travel with me to the Philippines, be required to secure additional travel documents from the Philippine Consulate before leaving?

The answer would depend on the intended period of stay in the Philippines and if the spouse is a visa-required national under the Philippine visa regulation. Foreign spouse (as well as children) included in the visa waiver category may avail of the Balikbayan-Program for stays of up to one (1) year. Otherwise, they would need to apply for an appropriate visa.

2026 VIP Tour Launches in New York, Set to Visit Manila, Dumaguete, and Cebu

NEW YORK, 24 October 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Philippine Department of Tourism-New York (PDOT-NY) formally launched the 2026 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour on 23 October 2025 at Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center. The event was attended by around 60 guests comprising members of the Filipino American community, media representatives, and travel operators from the New York tri-state area.

The 2026 edition of the VIP Tour will take place from 12 to 21 July 2026, featuring the destinations Metro Manila, Dumaguete, and Cebu.

In his remarks, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile encouraged members of the Filipino American community and friends of the Philippines to participate in next year’s tour emphasizing that it offers participants a chance to experience the Philippines firsthand, see how the country has evolved, and celebrate its enduring spirit.

“This event is not merely a trip; it is a heartfelt homecoming for our Filipino Americans, a journey to reconnect with the heart and soul of the Philippines,” said Consul General Mangalile.

PDOT-New York Director Maria Corazon Jorda-Apo presented the “Love the Philippines” tourism campaign and introduced the destinations for the 2026 VIP Tour. She also highlighted curated cultural, culinary, and heritage experiences that await participants. Michael Charles Kipping, Director of Sales and Marketing of Rajah Tours, provided a detailed presentation of the tour itinerary, packages, and rates.

Ms. Nora Galleros, a repeat VIP Tour participant, shared a testimonial on her experiences over the years. She said the tour consistently exceeds expectations with its well-organized itineraries, quality accommodations, and warm hospitality, describing it as “a true VIP experience.”

“No exaggeration, it was fun, it was meaningful, and every penny was worth it. I now understand why a lot of Filipinos and non-Filipinos join the tour over and over again,” Ms. Galleros added.

A Q&A session followed, allowing guests to engage with the presenters and learn more about the tour details and registration process.

The program concluded with a food feast featuring specialties from the tour destinations, including street food (“tusok-tusok”) from Metro Manila, chicken inato from Dumaguete, and pancit bisaya from Cebu, giving guests a flavorful and festive glimpse of what awaits in next year’s tour.

The VIP Tour is a flagship project jointly organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, and Rajah Tours Philippines, in cooperation with Philippine Foreign Service Posts in the US, to promote travel to the Philippines among overseas Filipinos and friends of the country.

For more information on the VIP Tour, visit https://viptourphilippines.com/. END

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

New York, USA